Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery User's Guide
The software described in this book is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.Documentation version 7.0
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Select your region or language under Global Support.
When you contact Technical Support, please have the following information available:
■ Product release level
■ Hardware information
■ Available memory, disk space, and NIC information
■ Operating system
■ Version and patch level
■ Network topology
■ Router, gateway, and IP address information
■ Problem description:
■ Error messages and log files
■ Troubleshooting that was performed before contacting Symantec
■ Recent software configuration changes and network changes
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If you want to contact Symantec regarding an existing maintenance agreement, please contact the maintenance agreement administration team for your region as follows:
■ Asia-Pacific and Japan: contractsadmin@symantec.com
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■ North America and Latin America: supportsolutions@symantec.com
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To access more information about Enterprise services, please visit our Web site at the following URL:
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Technical Support
Chapter 1
Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
Preparing for installation ... 15
System requirements ... 15
Supported file systems and removable media ... 17
Unavailable features ... 17
Installing Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery ... 19
Completing the installation ... 21
Activating Backup Exec System Recovery later ... 22
Setting up your first backup ... 22
About ensuring the recovery of your computer ... 23
Testing Symantec Recovery Disk ... 23
If driver validation fails ... 24
Creating a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD ... 24
Starting Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery ... 25
Configuring Backup Exec System Recovery default options ... 26
Selecting a default backup destination ... 28
Adjusting the effects of a backup on computer performance ... 28
Adjusting default tray icon settings ... 30
Managing file types ... 31
Logging Backup Exec System Recovery messages ... 33
Enabling email notifications for product (event) messages ... 34
Updating Backup Exec System Recovery ... 35
Uninstalling the product ... 36
Chapter 2
Introducing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
About Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery ... 37What's new in Backup Exec System Recovery ... 38
Key product components ... 40
How you use Backup Exec System Recovery ... 41
Where to find more information ... 42
Chapter 3
Best practices for backing up
Best practices for backing up ... 43
About backups ... 43
Before you back up ... 44
During a backup ... 45
When the backup is complete ... 45
Additional tips about backups ... 46
Chapter 4
Backing up your data
About backing up your data ... 50About backing up dual-boot computers ... 50
Choosing a backup type ... 51
Defining a drive-based backup ... 51
Running a One Time Backup ... 57
Files excluded from drive-based backups ... 59
About network credentials ... 60
Run command files during a backup ... 60
Defining a file and folder backup ... 62
Folders excluded by default from file and folder backups ... 65
After defining your backup ... 65
Running an existing backup immediately ... 65
Run a backup with options ... 66
Verifying that a backup is successful ... 68
Enabling event-triggered backups ... 68
About selecting a backup destination ... 69
About setting a compression level for drive-based backups ... 72
Setting advanced options for drive-based backups ... 73
Editing advanced backup options ... 73
About recovery point encryption ... 74
Verifying a recovery point after creation ... 75
Viewing the progress of a backup ... 76
Adjusting the speed of a backup ... 76
Editing a backup schedule ... 77
Editing backup settings ... 77
Turning off a backup job ... 77
Adding users who can back up your computer ... 78
Stopping a backup or recovery task ... 78
Deleting backup jobs ... 79
Rescanning a computer’s hard disk ... 79
Configuring Backup Exec System Recovery to send SNMP traps ... 79
About the Backup Exec System Recovery management information base ... 80
Using the Advanced page ... 80
Chapter 5
Backing up remote computers from your computer
About backing up other computers from your computer ... 83Adding computers to the Computer List ... 84
Deploying the agent ... 85
Granting rights to domain users on Windows 2003 SP1 servers ... 87
Using the Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Agent ... 88
Managing the agent through Windows Services ... 89
Best practices for using services ... 90
Opening Services ... 91
Starting or stopping the agent service ... 91
Setting up recovery actions when the agent does not start ... 92
Viewing Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Agent dependencies ... 93
Controlling access to Backup Exec System Recovery ... 94
Running Backup Exec System Recovery using different user rights ... 96
Chapter 6
Monitoring the status of your backups
About monitoring backups ... 99Monitoring backup protection from the Home page ... 100
Monitoring backup protection from the Status page ... 101
Customize status reporting ... 104
Viewing drive details ... 105
Improving the protection level of a drive ... 106
Chapter 7
Exploring the contents of a recovery point
About exploring recovery points ... 109Exploring a recovery point through Windows Explorer ... 110
Mounting a recovery point from Windows Explorer ... 111
Opening files within a recovery point ... 111
Using a search engine ... 112
Unmounting a recovery point drive ... 113
Viewing the drive properties of a recovery point ... 113
Chapter 8
Managing backup destinations
About backup destinations ... 115How backup data works ... 115
About drive-based backups ... 116
About file and folder backups ... 116
Managing recovery points ... 117
Cleaning up old recovery points ... 117
Deleting a recovery point set ... 118
Deleting recovery points within a set ... 118
Making copies of recovery points ... 119
Converting a recovery point to a virtual disk format ... 120
Managing file and folder backup data ... 123
Viewing how much file and folder backup data is being stored ... 123
Limiting the number of file versions to keep ... 124
Manually deleting files from your file and folder backup ... 124
Finding versions of a file or folder ... 124
Automating management of backup data ... 125
Moving your backup destination ... 126
Chapter 9
Recovering files, folders, or entire drives
About recovering lost data ... 129Recovering files and folders by using file and folder backup data ... 129
Recovering files and folders by using a recovery point ... 131
Opening files and folders stored in a recovery point ... 133
If you cannot find the files or folders you want ... 133
Recovering a secondary drive ... 134
About LightsOut Restore ... 137
Setting up and using LightsOut Restore ... 137
Configuring LightsOut Restore ... 138
Troubleshooting LightsOut Restore ... 140
Chapter 10
Recovering a computer
About recovering a computer ... 141Starting a computer by using the recovery environment ... 142
Configuring your computer to boot from a CD ... 143
Preparing to recover a computer ... 144
Checking your hard disk for errors ... 145
Recovering a computer ... 145
Restoring multiple drives by using a system index file ... 149
Recovering to a computer that has different hardware ... 150
About using Restore Anyware ... 150
Restoring a computer through Restore Anyware ... 151
Recovering files and folders from the recovery environment ... 155
Exploring your computer ... 156
Using the networking tools in the recovery environment ... 157
Starting networking services ... 157
Using the pcAnywhere thin host for a remote recovery ... 157
Mapping a network drive in the recovery environment ... 159
Configuring network connection settings ... 160
Viewing properties of recovery points and drives ... 161
Viewing properties of a recovery point ... 161
Viewing the properties of a drive within a recovery point ... 162
About the Support Utilities ... 163
Chapter 11
Copying a drive
About copying a drive ... 165Preparing to copy drives ... 166
Copying one hard drive to another hard drive ... 167
Drive-to-drive copying options ... 167
Appendix A
Using a search engine to search recovery points
About using a search engine to search recovery points ... 169Enabling search engine support ... 170
Recovering files using Google Desktop's Search Desktop feature ... 171
If a file cannot be found using Google Desktop ... 172
Appendix B
Backing up VSS-aware databases
About backing up VSS-aware databases ... 173Recommended use of Backup Exec System Recovery with Exchange Databases ... 174
About backing up non-VSS-aware databases ... 174
Creating a cold recovery point manually ... 174
Creating a cold recovery point automatically ... 175
Creating a hot recovery point ... 176
Appendix C
About Active Directory
The role of Active Directory ... 177Appendix D
Troubleshooting Backup Exec System Recovery
About troubleshooting Backup Exec System Recovery ... 179Using event log information to troubleshoot problems ... 180
Troubleshooting installation ... 180
Locating required system information ... 181
Drive letter changes ... 181
About Microsoft .NET Framework ... 181
Troubleshooting recovery points ... 181
Burning recovery points to a CD or DVD ... 182
Support for CD/DVD burners ... 182
Support for DVD-ROM drives ... 182
About hiberfile.sys and pagefile.sys files ... 182
Troubleshooting scheduled backups ... 183
Recovery points are no longer being created ... 183
Define Backup wizard does not show the correct time settings ... 184
Checking the status of the agent ... 184
Testing the scheduling of your backups ... 184
Backup errors occur after you deleted a drive ... 185
Troubleshooting recovery from within Windows ... 185
About using a recovery point that is spanned across multiple CDs or DVDs ... 185
About recovering a system drive in Windows ... 185
When a drive cannot be found after a failed or cancelled recovery job ... 186
Troubleshooting the recovery environment ... 186
How Symantec Recovery Disk works ... 187
Using the support utilities ... 188
Starting a computer from the CD drive ... 191
You cannot access the local drive where your recovery points are saved ... 192
You cannot access or see the USB device where your recovery points are saved ... 193
A warning message indicates that Windows might not run correctly because of insufficient memory ... 193
Your recovery point is on CD, but you cannot use the drive because the Symantec Recovery Disk CD is running the recovery environment ... 193
Finding your network from the recovery environment ... 194
USB devices in the recovery environment ... 194
Using the pcAnywhere thin host for a remote recovery ... 194
Connecting remotely to the pcAnywhere Thin Host ... 195
Mapping a network drive in the recovery environment ... 196
Editing the boot.ini file ... 196
Getting a static IP address ... 197
Server clusters and restoring ... 198
Workgroups and restoring ... 199
Restoration of a recovery point in a workgroup environment ... 199
Restoration of a DHCP server ... 200
Setting the time zone and then exiting the recovery
environment ... 200
Using a SAN ... 200
Using dual-ported fibre channel cards ... 200
Wireless devices ... 200
Viewing your IP address or other configuration information ... 200
Restoring after setting encryption on an NTFS volume ... 201
Using the recovery environment to perform multiple restorations to the same location ... 201
Troubleshooting Restore Anyware ... 201
During the beginning of booting up, before any Windows prompts, the system stops responding, or a message is displayed that indicates an issue with the HAL.dll ... 201
The system blue screens during the boot up ... 202
System continually boots during the mini setup ... 203
You are prompted for a Windows hot fix or patch ... 203
Dual-boot systems ... 203
Driver failure ... 203
Troubleshooting drives on Windows ... 203
Troubleshooting error messages ... 204
Recovery Point Browser error messages ... 204
General error messages ... 205
General troubleshooting ... 210
How to create recovery points directly to tape ... 210
How to break up an existing recovery point file into a spanned file set ... 210
How to test the scheduling feature without actually creating a schedule ... 211
Backup Exec System Recovery agent and Windows Services ... 211
Viewing the status of an agent ... 212
Best practices for using services ... 212
Starting, stopping, or restarting the agent service ... 213
Setting up recovery actions when the agent fails to start ... 214
Viewing agent dependencies ... 215
Troubleshooting issues with deploying the agent ... 216
Troubleshooting LightsOut Restore ... 219
Index
Installing Symantec Backup
Exec™ System Recovery
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ Preparing for installation
■ Installing Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
■ Setting up your first backup
■ About ensuring the recovery of your computer
■ Creating a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD
■ Starting Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
■ Configuring Backup Exec System Recovery default options
■ Updating Backup Exec System Recovery
■ Uninstalling the product
Preparing for installation
Before you install Backup Exec System Recovery, make sure that your computer meets the system requirements.
System requirements
Table 1-1lists the system requirements for Backup Exec System Recovery.
Table 1-1 Minimum system requirements Minimum Requirements
Component
Windows 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems:
■ Windows Vista Home Basic
■ Windows Vista Home Premium
■ Windows Vista Ultimate
■ Windows Vista Business
■ Windows Vista Enterprise
■ Windows XP Professional/Home (SP2 or later)
■ Windows XP Media Center
■ Windows Small Business Server 2000
■ Windows Small Business Server 2003
■ Windows Server 2000 (SP4 or later)
■ Windows Server 2003
■ Windows 2000 Advanced Server (SP4 or later)
■ Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later) Operating system
Memory requirements per key components:
■ Backup Exec System Recovery Agent: 256 MB
■ Backup Exec System Recovery user interface and Recovery Point Browser: 256 MB
■ Symantec Recovery Disk: 512 MB minimum
Note:If you are installing a multilingual version of the product, you must have a minimum of 768 MB of RAM to run the Symantec Recovery Disk.
■ Backup Exec System Recovery LightsOut Restore feature: 1 GB RAM
■ Backup Exec System Recovery Service: 65.2 MB
■ Recovery Point Browser: 30.6 MB
■ Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0: 280 MB of hard disk space required for 32-bit computers, and 610 MB for 64-bit computers
■ Recovery points: Sufficient hard disk space on a local hard disk or network server for storing recovery points
■ Backup Exec System Recovery LightsOut Restore feature: 2 GB Available hard
disk space
The drive can be any speed, but must be bootable from the BIOS.
Backup Exec System Recovery uses Gear Software technology. To verify that your CD writer or DVD writer is compatible, visit http://www.gearsoftware.com/support/recorders/index.cfm. You can look up information about your writer if you know the name of the manufacturer and model number of your writer.
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Preparing for installation
Table 1-1 Minimum system requirements (continued) Minimum Requirements
Component
The .NET Framework 2.0 is required to run Backup Exec System Recovery.
If the .NET Framework is not already installed, then Backup Exec System Recovery installs it for you.
Software
■ VMware GSX Server 3.1 and 3.2
■ VMware Server 1.0 (replacement/rename for GSX Server)
■ VMware ESX Server 2.5 and 3.0
■ VMware Infrastructure 3 (replacement/rename for ESX Server)
■ Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 Virtual platforms
(for converted recovery points)
Supported file systems and removable media
Backup Exec System Recovery supports the following file systems and removable media:
Backup Exec System Recovery supports FAT16, FAT16X, FAT32, FAT32X, NTFS, dynamic disks, Linux Ext2, Linux Ext3, and Linux swap partitions.
Note:You must decrypt encrypted NTFS drives before you attempt to restore them. You cannot view the files that are in a recovery point for an encrypted NTFS drive.
Supported file systems
You can save recovery points locally (that is, on the same computer where Backup Exec System Recovery is installed) or to most CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R(W), and DVD+RW recorders. You can find an updated list of supported drives on the Symantec Web site.
Backup Exec System Recovery also lets you save recovery points to most USB devices, 1394 FireWire devices, REV, Jaz, Zip drives, and magneto-optical devices.
Removable media
Unavailable features
Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery is packaged to meet various markets. Some features might not be available, depending on the product you have purchased. However, all features are documented. You should be aware of which features are included with the version of the product you have purchased. If a feature is not accessible in the product user interface, it is likely not included with your version of the product.
Refer to the Symantec Web site for information about features included with your version of Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery.
17 Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
About the Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers - System
Recovery Option version of Backup Exec System Recovery
If you are using Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers - System Recovery Option, the following features are not available without upgrading to the full version of Backup Exec System Recovery:
Table 1-2 Disabled features What it does
Feature
Back up your computer directly to CD or DVD, or copy recovery points to CD or DVD.
CD/DVD support
Allows Backup Exec System Recovery Manager 7.0 to remotely monitor and manage installations of Backup Exec System Recovery found in a network, including backing up and recovering data.
Centralized manageability
Copy all contents of one hard drive to a second hard drive. Copy My Hard Drive Wizard
Run a backup automatically whenever specified events occur, such as any time a new application is installed.
Event Triggers
Limit your backup to include a select set of files or folders. File and folder backup
Restore a computer from a remote location, regardless of the state of the computer, provided that its file system is intact.
LightsOut Restore
After an initial, full backup of a drive, additional back ups only capture changes made to data on the drive since the full backup was performed. Without this feature, you can only create independent recovery points (full backups) of a drive.
Recovery point sets
Search for and recover files stored in recovery points using Google Desktop™. Search engine support
You can enable these features by purchasing an upgrade license for the full version of Backup Exec System Recovery.
For more information, or to purchase an upgrade license, refer to your local reseller. You can also visit http://www.symantec.com/backupexec/ to learn more.
When you delay licensing
If you choose to delay installation of the product license (for a maximum of 30 days from the date of installation), the following features are unavailable until you install a valid license:
■ Copy Drive
■ LightsOut Restore
Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Preparing for installation
■ Restore Anyware
■ Convert to Virtual Disk
All other features are enabled during the 30 day grace period.
If you are using an Evaluation copy of the product, it also expires after 30 days. However, all features are enabled until the end of the evaluation period, at which time you must purchase the product or uninstall it. You can purchase a license at any time (even after the evaluation period expires) without reinstalling the software.
Note: If this product came pre-installed from a computer manufacturer, your trial period could be as long as 90 days. The product licensing or activation page during install will indicate the duration of your trial period.
See“Activating Backup Exec System Recovery later”on page 22.
Installing Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
Before you begin, you should review the requirements and scenarios for installing Backup Exec System Recovery.
See“System requirements”on page 15.
Note: During the installation process, you might be required to restart the computer. To ensure proper functionality after the computer restarts, log in again with the same user credentials.
The installation program scans your hardware for the required drivers. If the program does not find the required drivers on your system, you receive a driver validation message. If you receive this message, you should test the Symantec Recovery Disk to verify whether the drivers are required or if the devices on your system have compatible drivers that are available on the Symantec Recovery Disk. The driver validation process should not interfere with your ability to install the product.
For more information about Driver Validation, seeAbout ensuring the recovery of your computer.
Warning: The Symantec Recovery Disk (SRD) provides the tools that you need to recover your computer. It is included with your product either on a separate CD, or on your product CD, depending on the version of the product that you purchased. You should store the CD in a safe place.
To install Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
1
Insert the Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery product CD into the media drive of the computer.The installation program should start automatically.
2
If the installation program does not start, on the Windows taskbar, click Start> Run, type the following command, then click OK. <drive>:\autorun.exe
where <drive> is the drive letter of your media drive.
For Windows Vista, if the Run option is not visible, do the following:
■ Right-click the Start button, and click Properties.
■ On the Start Menu tab, click Customize.
■ Scroll down and check Run command.
■ Click OK.
3
In the CD browser panel, click Install Backup Exec System Recovery.4
In the Welcome panel, click Next.5
Read the license agreement, and then click I accept the terms in the licenseagreement.
6
Click Next.7
If you want to change the default location for the Backup Exec System Recovery program files, click Change, locate the folder in which you want to install Backup Exec System Recovery, and then click OK.8
Click Next.9
If you want to customize your settings, click Custom, and then click Next to change your settings.By default, all options are installed.
10
Click Next.11
Click Install.A progress screen shows the status of the installation.
12
If a driver that is used on your computer is not available on the Symantec Recovery Disk, you receive a notification message that includes the name of the driver. Write down the name of the driver file, and then click OK to dismiss the message.Drivers are critical in the event that you need to use the Symantec Recovery Disk to recover your system drive (the drive where your operating system is installed).
See“About ensuring the recovery of your computer”on page 23.
13
Click Finish to complete the installation.14
Remove the product CD from the media drive, and then click Yes to exit the installation wizard and restart the computer.You must restart your computer before you run Backup Exec System Recovery.
Completing the installation
After you install the product, you are prompted to license or activate your product. You can then run LiveUpdate to check for product updates, and then configure your first backup.
Note: If this product came pre-installed from a computer manufacturer, your trial period could be as long as 90 days. Refer to the Install license later label.
To complete the installation
1
In the Welcome panel, click Next.If the product was installed by your computer manufacturer, the Welcome page might appear the first time that you run Backup Exec System Recovery.
2
Do one of the following:■ Type the path to your license file, or click Browse to locate the file. You must have a unique license file for each installation of the product.
■ If you have not registered your serial number with Symantec, click
Symantec Enterprise Licensing and Registration to obtain a license file. ■ If this product is a trial version of Backup Exec System Recovery and you want to purchase a license or product key, click Symantec Global Store to connect to the Symantec Web site.
■ Click Install license later to delay the activation of your license for 30 days. After 30 days, the product will no longer work.
See“When you delay licensing ”on page 18.
■ If you have a Volume Incentive Program (VIP) Activation key, enter it in the appropriate spaces as it appears on your certificate.
3
Click Next.4
Click Run LiveUpdate to check for any product updates since the product shipped.5
Click Launch Easy Setup to open the Easy Setup box when you complete the install process.6
Click Enable Google Desktop File and Folder Recovery if you want use Google Desktop to search your recovery points for the files and folders that you want to recover.If you select this option, Backup Exec System Recovery automatically catalogs each file as it creates a recovery point. Google Desktop can then use this catalog to search for files by name. It does not index the content of the files.
Note: This option is available only if Google Desktop already is installed on your computer. If you plan to install Google Desktop, you can enable search engine support later.
7
Click Finish.Activating Backup Exec System Recovery later
If you do not activate or license Backup Exec System Recovery within 30 days of installing it, the software stops working. You can activate it after the 30 days have expired.
To activate Backup Exec System Recovery at any time after installation
1
On the Help menu, click License.2
Refer to step2in the To complete the installation procedure.Setting up your first backup
Unless you unchecked the Run Easy Setup check box during installation, the Easy Setup box appears. If you don't run Easy Setup at install time, it appears the first time you open the Run or Manage Backups window.
When the Easy Setup box opens, you can either accept the default drive and file and folder backup settings, or you can click on any of the settings to modify them.
Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Setting up your first backup
If you want the new backup to run immediately, be sure to select Run backup
now, and then click OK.
About ensuring the recovery of your computer
If Windows fails to start or it does not run normally, you can recover your computer by using the Symantec Recovery Disk. The drivers that are included on the recovery disk must match the drivers required to run your computer's network cards and hard disks.
To help ensure that you have the drivers that you need to recover your computer, the installation process runs a driver validation test. The driver validation tool compares hardware drivers that are contained on the recovery disk with the drivers that are required to run your computer's network cards and hard disks. The installation process automatically runs the driver validation test, unless you cancel it. But you can run a validation test at anytime by running the Symantec Recovery Disk Wizard.
You should run the driver validation test any time you make changes to the NIC cards or storage controllers on a computer.
See“If driver validation fails”on page 24.
Note: Wireless network adapter drivers are not supported by the driver validation tool or by Symantec Recovery Disk.
Testing Symantec Recovery Disk
You should test Symantec Recovery Disk to ensure that the recovery environment runs properly on your computer.
Note: Depending on which version of the product you have purchased, the SRD is either included on your product CD, or as a separate CD. You should place the CD containing the SRD in a safe place. Should you lose the CD, you can create a new one if you have have a CD burner.
You can use the testing to identify and solve the following types of problems:
■ You cannot boot into the recovery environment.
See“Starting a computer from the CD drive ”on page 191.
■ You do not have the necessary storage drivers to access recovery points on the computer.
23 Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
See“You cannot access the local drive where your recovery points are saved ”on page 192.
■ You need information about your system to help you run the recovery environment.
See“Locating required system information ”on page 181. See“Troubleshooting the recovery environment ”on page 186. To test Symantec Recovery Disk
1
Run the driver validation tool to test whether Symantec Recovery Disk works with the network cards and storage devices on the computer.2
Boot your computer using the Symantec Recovery Disk.See“Starting a computer by using the recovery environment ”on page 142.
3
When you have booted into the recovery environment, do one of the following:■ If you want to store recovery points on a network, run a mock restore of a recovery point that is stored on a network to test the network connection.
■ If you want to store recovery points on the computer, run a mock restore of a recovery point that is stored locally to test the local hard-drive connection.
If driver validation fails
The driver validation test verifies whether the drivers for all storage devices and network cards in use by the computer are available in the recovery environment. If the drivers are available on the recovery disk, you receive a validation message. If any drivers are missing from the recovery disk, the Driver Validation Results dialog appears.
Without access to the correct drivers, a device cannot be used while running the SRD. Therefore, if the recovery points required for recovering your computer are stored on a network or a local hard drive, you might not have access to them. You can find the drivers and copy them to a CD or a floppy disk, or you can create a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD.
See“Creating a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD”on page 24.
Creating a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD
If driver validation fails, or if your Symantec Recovery Disk CD does not work, you can create a new one that contains your computer's current network and storage device drivers.
Note: You must have a writeable DVD/CD-RW drive to create a custom Symantec Recovery Disk.
To create a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD
1
Start Backup Exec System Recovery.2
Attach and turn on all storage devices and network devices that you want to make available.3
Insert the Symantec Recovery Disk CD into your CD-ROM drive.4
From the main Backup Exec System Recovery window, click File > CreateRecovery Disk, and then click Next.
5
If prompted, click Browse, select the drive that contains the Symantec Recovery Disk CD, click OK, and then click Next.6
Do one of the following:■ Click Automatic (Recommended), and then click Next.
■ Click Custom, and then click Next.
Select this option only if you know which drivers to select.
7
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the wizard.Starting Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
Backup Exec System Recovery is installed in the Windows Program Files folder by default. During installation, a program icon is installed in the Windows system tray from which you can open Backup Exec System Recovery. You can also open Backup Exec System Recovery from the Windows Start menu.
To use the full version of Backup Exec System Recovery, you must activate the software.
See“Activating Backup Exec System Recovery later”on page 22. To start Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
◆ Do one of the following:
■ On the classic Windows taskbar, click Start > Programs > Symantec >
Backup Exec System Recovery.
■ On the Windows 2003 taskbar, click Start > All Programs > Symantec >
Backup Exec System Recovery.
■ On the Windows XP or Windows Vista taskbar, click Start > All Programs
> Symantec > Backup Exec System Recovery.
25 Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
■ In the Windows system tray, double-click the Backup Exec System Recovery tray icon.
■ In the Windows system tray, right-click the Backup Exec System Recovery tray icon, and then click Open Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery.
■ In the Windows system tray, double-click the Backup Exec System Recovery tray icon.
Configuring Backup Exec System Recovery default
options
The Options dialog box includes five tabs that let you configure the following default settings:
Description Tab
Specify a default location where a backup will create and store recovery points and file and folder backup data. If the location you choose is on a network, you can enter your user authentication information.
See“Selecting a default backup destination ”on page 28. General
Lets you specify a default speed for backup or recovery processes. Moving the slider closer to Fast increases the speed at which the program backs up or recovers your computer. However, choosing a slower speed could improve the performance of your computer, especially if you are working on your computer during a backup or recovery.
You can also configure network throttling to limit the effects of backups on network performance.
Note:During a backup or recovery, you have the option to override this default setting to fit your needs at the time. See“Adjusting the effects of a backup on computer performance”on page 28.
See“Enabling network throttling ”on page 29. Performance
You can turn the system tray icon on or off and specify whether to show only error messages when they occur, or to show both error messages and other information, such as the completion of a backup.
See“Adjusting default tray icon settings ”on page 30. Tray Icon
Description Tab
Lets you manage file types and file type categories, which are used as a method for selecting the types of files you want included in a file and folder backup.
See“Managing file types ”on page 31. File Types
If Google Desktop is installed on your computer when you install Backup Exec System Recovery, you have the option of enabling Google Desktop file and folder recovery. When you enable this feature, you can search for files (by file name) inside a recovery point that was created with search engine support enabled.
If Google Desktop is not installed on your computer when you install Backup Exec System Recovery, you have the option of clicking a link to the Web site where you can download and install Google Desktop for free.
See“About using a search engine to search recovery points”
on page 169. Google Desktop
Lets you specify the types of product messages to log (errors, warnings, and information), where to store the log file, and set a maximum file size for the log file.
See“Logging Backup Exec System Recovery messages”
on page 33. Log File
Lets you specify the types of product messages to log (errors, warnings, and information) in the Windows event log. See“Logging Backup Exec System Recovery messages”
on page 33. Event Log
If you want a history of actions taken by Backup Exec System Recovery, or of error messages and warnings, you can choose to save them in a log file on your computer, or to have them emailed to an address you specify.
See“Enabling email notifications for product (event) messages ”on page 34.
SMTP E-mail
If you have a Network Management System (NMS) application, you can enable SNMP Traps support to send notifications to you NMS application.
See“Configuring Backup Exec System Recovery to send SNMP traps”on page 79.
SNMP Trap
To configure default options
1
Start Backup Exec System Recovery and click Tasks > Options.2
Select an option you want to modify, make any necessary changes, and then click OK.Selecting a default backup destination
You can specify the default destination for storing recovery points and file and folder backup data created when you run a backup. This default location is used if you do not specify a different location when you define a new backup. To set a default backup destination
1
On the menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click General.3
Check Append computer name to backup data files.This is especially useful if you back up more than one computer to the same drive. For example, you might back up a laptop and a desktop computer to the same USB or network drive. By appending the computer name, you can more easily identify where the backup data is for each computer.
4
Enter a path to a folder where you want to store recovery points and file and folder backup data, or click Browse to look for a location.Note: You cannot use an encrypted folder as your backup destination. If you want to encrypt your backup data to prevent another user from accessing it, refer to the Advanced options when you define or edit a backup.
5
If you entered the path to a location on a network, enter the user name and password required to authenticate to the network.6
Click OK.Adjusting the effects of a backup on computer performance
If you are working on your computer when a backup is running—especially one that is creating an independent recovery point—your computer might slow down. This is because Backup Exec System Recovery is using your computer's hard disk and memory resources to perform the backup.
However, you can actually modify the speed of the backup as a way of minimizing the impact of Backup Exec System Recovery on your computer while you work.
To adjust the default effect of a backup on my computer's performance
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click Performance.3
If you want to improve your computer's speed performance, move the slider bar closer to Slow.4
If you want the backup to complete more quickly, move the slider bar closer to Fast.5
Click OK.Note: During a backup or recovery, you'll have the option of overriding this default setting to fit your needs at that moment.
See“Adjusting the speed of a backup ”on page 76.
Enabling network throttling
Similar to computer performance adjustments, you can also limit the impact of a backup on network performance.
However, because network performance is affected by many variables, you should consider the following issues before enabling this feature:
■ Network cards: Is your network wired or wireless? What are the speeds of your network cards?
■ Network backbone: What is the size of your network pipeline? Does it support 10 MB transfer rates, or 1 GB transfer rates?
■ Network server: How robust is your server hardware? How fast is its' processor? How much RAM does it have? Is it fast or slow?
■ Backing up: How many computers are scheduled to back up at the same time?
■ Network traffic: Are backups scheduled to run when network traffic is heavy or light?
Consider using this feature only when you know what your network can handle. If you schedule your backups at staggered intervals, and if you schedule them when network traffic is low, you will likley not need to use this feature. Gather the required information about your network's performance and then schedule backups accordingly. Then, if necessary, enable this feature and set the Maximum network throughput to a setting that matches the circumstances.
To enable network throttling
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click Performance.3
Check Enable network throttling.4
In the Maximum network throttling field, enter the maximum amount (in KB) of network throughput that Backup Exec System Recovery can send per second.5
Click OK.Adjusting default tray icon settings
You can turn the system tray icon on or off and specify whether to show only error messages when they occur, or to show both error messages and other information, such as the completion of a backup.
To adjust default tray icon settings
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click Tray Icon and select one of the following:Displays the Backup Exec System Recovery icon in the system tray.
You must select this option to enable or disable any of the remaining options. Show system tray icon
Notifies you when a backup was scheduled but did not run.
This can happen when your computer was turned off at the time a backup was scheduled to run.
Show missed backups
Offers helpful prompts in the form of questions that can help you keep your data backed up.
Show system tray questions
Displays messages about the status of backup operations, such as notifying that a backup has started, or that your backup destination is getting full.
Show status messages
Displays error messages when errors occur so that you can resolve any issues that might hinder data protection.
Show error messages
3
Click OK.Managing file types
When you define a file and folder backup, file types are a quick way to include files you use the most. For example, if you keep music files on your computer, you can configure a file and folder backup to include all music files (for example, .mp3, .wav).
The most common file types and extensions are already defined for you. But you can define additional file type categories as needed, and then edit them at any time. For example, if you install a new program that requires the use of two new file extensions (.pft and .ptp, for example), you can define a new file type and define the two file extensions for that category. Then when you define a file and folder backup, you can select the new category. When the backup is run, all files ending with .pft and .ptp are backed up.
To create a new file type and extensions
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click File Types.3
Click the Add a file type (+) button to add a file type category.4
Type a descriptive name of the new file type category, and then press Enter.5
Select *.New Extension in the Extensions for column and click the Edit anextension (checkmark icon below the Extensions for column) button.
6
Type an asterisk (*) and a period, followed by the extension of the file type you want to define, and then press Enter.7
Click OK.To edit a file type and extensions
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Click File Types.3
Select a file type from the File types list, and then do one of the following:■ Click the Edit a file type (checkmark icon below the Extensions for column) button to edit the name of the selected file type.
■ Select an extension in the Extensions for column and click the Edit an
extension (checkmark icon below the Extensions for column) button to
edit the name of the extension.
■ Click either the Restore default file types list or the Restore default
extension list button to restore all default file types or extensions.
Caution: Any file types and extensions you have set up are removed. Once removed, you will have to add them again manually.
4
Click OK.To delete a file type (and all of its extensions)
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Select a file type in the File types column.You cannot delete a default file type. You can delete all but one extension of a default file type, and you can add additional extensions to a default file type.
3
Click the Remove a file type (-) button , and then click OK.Use this same procedure to remove file extensions from the Extensions list.
Logging Backup Exec System Recovery messages
You can specify which product messages (errors, warnings, and information) are logged as they occur, and where the log file is stored. Product messages can provide useful information about the status of backups or related events, and can also provide helpful information when you are troubleshooting.
Two logging methods are available: Backup Exec System Recovery logging, and the Windows application log.
From the Options page, you can configure both methods. To configure a Backup Exec System Recovery log file
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Under Notifications, click Log File.3
Click the Select the priority and type of messages drop-down list and select the priority level at which a message should be logged.Send all messages, regardless of priority levels.
All messages
Send only medium and high priority messages.
Medium and high priority messages
Send only high priority messages. High priority messages only
Do not send any messages, regardless of priority levels.
No messages
4
Select one or more of the following options:■ Errors
■ Warnings
■ Information
5
In the Log file location field, enter a path to where the log file should be created and stored.If you don't know the path, click Browse and select a location.
6
In the Maximum file size field, specify a maximum size (in kilobytes) that the log file is allowed to grow.The file is kept within the limit you set by replacing the oldest logged items in the file with new items as they occur.
7
Click OK.To configure which product events are written to a Windows event log
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Under Notifications, click Event Log.3
Click the Select the priority and type of messages drop-down list and select the priority level at which a message should be logged.Send all messages, regardless of priority levels.
All messages
Send only medium and high priority messages.
Medium and high priority messages
Send only high priority messages. High priority messages only
Do not send any messages, regardless of priority levels.
No messages
4
Select one or more of the following options:■ Errors
■ Warnings
■ Information
5
Click OK.Enabling email notifications for product (event) messages
Email notifications can be sent to a specified email address if there are any errors or warnings that occurred when a backup is run.
Note: If you do not have an SMTP server, this feature is unavailable to you.
Notifications can also be sent to the system event log and a custom log file located in the Agent folder of the product installation.
If notifications are not being delivered, check the setup of your SMTP server to ensure that it is functioning properly.
To enable email notifications
1
On the main menu bar, click Tasks > Options.2
Under Notifications, click SMTP E-mail.3
Click the Select the priority and type of messages drop-down list and select the priority level at which an email should be sent.Send all messages, regardless of priority levels.
All messages
Send only medium and high priority messages.
Medium and high priority messages
Send only high priority messages. High priority messages only
Do not send any messages, regardless of priority levels.
No messages
4
Select one or more of the following options:■ Errors
■ Warnings
■ Information
5
In the To address text box, type the email address (for example, admin@domain.com) where notifications are to be sent.6
If desired, type the email address of the sender in the From address text field. If you do not specify a From address, the name of the product will be used.7
In the SMTP server text box, type the path to the SMTP server that will send the email notification (for example, smtpserver.domain.com).8
From the SMTP Authentication drop-down box, select the method to use to authenticate to the SMTP server specified above.9
Enter your SMTP username and password.If you are not sure what your username and password are, contact a system administrator.
10
Click OK.Updating Backup Exec System Recovery
You can receive software updates that are associated with your version of the product over your Internet connection. When you run LiveUpdate, you connect to the Symantec LiveUpdate server and select the product updates that you want to install.
35 Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
You run LiveUpdate as soon as you install the product. You should continue to run LiveUpdate periodically to obtain program updates.
To update Backup Exec System Recovery
1
On the Help menu, click LiveUpdate.2
In the LiveUpdate window, click Start to select the updates. Follow the on-screen instructions.3
When the installation is complete, click Close.Some program updates might require that you restart your computer before the changes take effect.
Uninstalling the product
When you upgrade Backup Exec System Recovery from a previous version of the product, the install program automatically uninstalls the previous versions. If needed, you can manually uninstall the product.
To uninstall Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
1
Do one of the following:■ On the Windows XP/2000 taskbar, click Start > Settings > Control Panel
> Add or Remove Programs.
■ On the Windows Vista taskbar, click Start > Control Panel > Programs
and Features > Uninstall or Change a Program.
2
Select Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery, and then click Remove (Uninstall on Windows Vista).You can choose to keep your current backup files, history files, and command files on your computer for future installations of the Backup Exec System Recovery product, rather than uninstalling them.
3
In the confirmation window, click Yes.You must restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Installing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Uninstalling the product
Introducing Symantec
Backup Exec™ System
Recovery
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ About Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
■ What's new in Backup Exec System Recovery
■ Key product components
■ How you use Backup Exec System Recovery
■ Where to find more information
About Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery
Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery is the gold standard in Windows® system recovery allowing businesses and IT to recover from system loss or disasters in minutes, not hours or days. Helping IT administrators meet recovery time objectives, Backup Exec System Recovery provides fast, easy to use system restoration or full bare metal recovery to dissimilar hardware and even virtual environments for servers, desktops or laptops. It also provides the ability to recover systems in remote, unattended locations.
Backup Exec System Recovery captures a recovery point of the entire live Windows system, including OS, applications, system settings, configurations, files, etc. – without impacting productivity. This Recovery Point can be conveniently saved to various media or disk storage devices including SAN, NAS, Direct Attached
Storage, RAID, CD/DVD, etc. When systems fail, you can quickly restore them without the need for manual, lengthy and error prone processes.
Backup Exec System Recovery also has the ability to be managed remotely using either another licensed copy of Backup Exec System Recovery, or using Backup Exec System Recovery Manager (sold separately), a centralized management application that provides IT administrators with an at-a-glance view of system recovery jobs across your entire organization. Using Backup Exec System Recovery Manager, you can centrally deploy, modify and maintain recovery activities, jobs, and policies for local and remote systems, monitor real-time status and quickly resolve any problems identified. You can also create reports to analyze trends over time.
Extending your recovery capabilities even further, Backup Exec System Recovery integrates with Google™ Desktop as well as Backup Exec Retrieve for simple, end-user file recovery that does not require IT intervention. Using Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Exchange Retrieve Option (sold separately), you can quickly restore individual Microsoft® Exchange emails, folders and mailboxes. With this release, Symantec introduces Backup Exec for Windows Servers System Recovery Option, a streamlined, lower priced version specifically for Backup Exec for Windows Servers customers. From small businesses to the Enterprise, Backup Exec System Recovery is the gold standard in Windows system recovery.
What's new in Backup Exec System Recovery
Backup Exec System Recovery includes many enhancements and new features. Refer to the following table for information about the latest features and enhancements:
Note: Not all features listed are available in all versions of this product.
Description Feature
An improved user interface simplifies what you need to know and do to successfully back up or recover files, folders, or your entire computer. And for Backup Exec System Recovery experts, the Advanced page gives you a single view to most product features. Enhanced ease-of-use
Backup Exec System Recovery has been designed and tested to run in the new Windows Vista operating system, and still supports previous versions of Windows. SeeTable 1-1
on page 16.. Windows Vista support
Description Feature
Now setting up your first backup is even easier with the enhanced Easy Setup, which appears either during install (unless you choose to skip it), or automatically the first time you run Backup Exec System Recovery. Specify a few preferences, and Backup Exec System Recovery can start backing up your computer on a regular basis.
Improved Easy Setup
Limit your backup to include a select set of files or folders. File and folder backups are especially useful if your backup storage space is limited and you make frequent changes to important documents that you want to back up.
File and folder backup
Need to back up you data quickly? The new One Time Backup feature lets you define and run a backup at any time without saving the backup job for later use.
One Time backups
Search for and recover files stored in recovery points using Google Desktop™. Also supports Symantec Backup Exec Retrieve.
Desktop search engine support
Convert recovery points to one of two virtual disk formats for use in a virtual environment.
Convert a recovery point to virtual disk format
Restore a recovery point of a Windows Vista, XP, 2003, or 2000 system drive to a computer with different hardware, and make the changes necessary for the computer to be able to boot.
Restore Anyware
Restore a computer from a remote location, regardless of the state of the computer, provided that its file system is intact.
LightsOut Restore
You can now easily edit your existing backup schedules without having to click through multiple dialogs or complete the entire backup wizard again.
Simplified schedule editor
Because recovery points and file and folder backup data require storage space, Backup Exec System Recovery gives you the freedom of where and how to handle the amount of disk space used for storing backup data. Backup Exec System Recovery offers simple tools for managing your backup data, and can even manage it for you automatically. Manage backup data
The home page offers the backup protection status in a single view. But you can also use the new Backups Calendar to view past and upcoming scheduled backups to see how protected your data really is.
Improved backup and recovery status
Backup Exec System Recovery automatically detects when a new storage device is connected to your computer, and can prompt you to change your default backup destination to the new drive.
Automatic backup destination detection
Enhanced browsing of files and folders inside recovery points makes recovery quick and easy; the new file and folder backup feature also lets you quickly search for and recover files or folders.
Browse lost or damaged files and folders
39 Introducing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
Description Feature
In addition to scheduled and manual backups, Backup Exec System Recovery can detect certain events and run a backup automatically whenever they occur, providing an added level of protection for your computer.
Event-triggered backups
Manually adjust the effect of a running backup on the performance of your computer to better match your needs at the moment. This feature is especially useful if you are working on your computer and don't want the backup process to slow you down. And if you know the demographics of your network traffic, you can now set network throttling to prevent network overload.
Performance throttling
If you have a Maxtor OneTouch™ external hard drive, you can back up your computer with the push of a button. No need to start Backup Exec System Recovery.
Maxtor OneTouch™ integration
When you cannot start Windows, the newly enhanced Symantec Recovery Disk (SRD) makes recovery easier than ever.
If the Symantec Recovery Disk is missing specific drivers, use the Create Recovery Disk feature to create a modified Symantec Recovery Disk that includes the exact drivers needed to successfully boot your computer into the recovery enironment.
Note:If you purchased Backup Exec System Recovery pre-installed on a new computer, some features in the recovery environment may or may not be included, depending on how the computer manufacturer chose to install it. The recovery environment has likely been pre-installed on a special partition on your computer.
Modifiable Symantec Recovery Disk
Key product components
Backup Exec System Recovery includes two key components: the program itself, and the Symantec Recovery Disk.
Table 2-1 Key product components Description Key Component
The Backup Exec System Recovery program lets you define, schedule, and run backups of your computer. When you run a backup, recovery points of your computer are created, which you can then use to recover your entire computer, or individual drives, files, and folders. You can also manage recovery point storage (backup destination), and monitor the backup status of your computer to make sure your valuable data is backed up on a regular basis.
Backup Exec System Recovery program (user interface)
Introducing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Key product components
Table 2-1 Key product components (continued) Description Key Component
The Symantec Recovery Disk (SRD) is used to boot your computer into the recovery environment. If your computer's operating system fails, use the SRD to recover your system drive (the drive where your operating system is installed).
Note:Depending on which version of the product you have purchased, the SRD is either included on your product CD, or as a separate CD. You should place the CD containing the SRD in a safe place. Should you lose the CD, you can create a new one if you have have a CD burner.
See“About recovering a computer ”on page 141. Symantec Recovery Disk
How you use Backup Exec System Recovery
While Backup Exec System Recovery does the work of backing up your files, folders, or entire drives, you need to tell Backup Exec System Recovery what to backup, when to back it up, and where to put the backed up data.
Using Backup Exec System Recovery includes the following key tasks:
■ Defining a backup
■ Running a backup
■ Recovering files, folders, or entire drives
Refer to the following figure to understand the relationship of these tasks.
41 Introducing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery
Figure 2-1 Working with Backup Exec System Recovery
Where to find more information
You can access the Help system from within the product for information regarding how to use and troubleshoot the product. You can also access the complete Backup
Exec System Recovery User's Guide in PDF format in the \Docs folder on the product
CD.
The Troubleshooting appendix also contains many known issues and workarounds. In addition to Backup Exec System Recovery documentation, check the Symantec Web site and Knowledge Base at www.symantec.com/techsupp for answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshooting help, online tutorials, and the latest product information.
Introducing Symantec Backup Exec™ System Recovery Where to find more information
Best practices for backing
up
This chapter includes the following topics:
■ Best practices for backing up
■ Additional tips about backups
Best practices for backing up
As you prepare to back up your computer, review this information:
■ Before you back up
■ During a backup
■ When the backup is complete
About backups
When you back up your computer, you choose from two types of backups:
■ drive-based backup: backs up an entire hard drive
■ file and folder backup: backs up only the files and folders you select
Which backup type you choose depends on what you are trying to protect and how much storage space you have to store backup data (recovery points, and file and folder backup data).
The following table highlights the key uses of each backup type:
